Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez? The story behind D4vd's arrest

The case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore, has returned to the center of public attention following the arrest of singer and influencer D4vd - whose legal name is David Anthony Burke - by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities reported that Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, by detectives from the Robbery and Homicide Division on suspicion of murder. So far, he remains in custody without bail, while the case will be presented to the district attorney's office to determine whether formal charges will be filed.

Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 15-year-old girl from Lake Elsinore, California. Her case has shocked the local community not only because of the circumstances of her death, but also because of the context of her disappearance.

Celeste was reported missing at least three times throughout 2024. The first two occasions occurred in February and March of that year; however, she was located. However, she went missing again on April 5. Her last confirmed contact was a phone call in May 2024.

Her mother told TMZ that before she disappeared, Rivas had told her that she had a boyfriend named "David", but she never met the supposed partner.

Celeste's whereabouts were unknown for months, until her remains were found in September 2025. Shortly after her identification, the teenager's family launched a GoFundMe campaign entitled "Help lay Celeste Rivas Hernandez to rest."

"She was a much-loved daughter, sister, cousin and friend," her family wrote. "Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss."

Discovery of the remains

On September 8, 2025, Celeste's remains were found inside a Tesla Model Y registered to Burke.

The vehicle had been towed for parking violations and had reportedly been abandoned for weeks near a property the artist was renting in the Hollywood Hills area.

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the autopsy could not accurately determine the cause of death. Subsequently, a judge ordered the forensic file to be sealed in November 2025.

That same month, the LAPD officially reclassified the case as a homicide investigation.

Investigation and legal process

For months, a grand jury reviewed physical evidence, digital records and testimony in the case. The investigation included subpoenas to Burke's relatives in Texas, who reportedly challenged compliance through legal channels.

Neo Langston, a close friend of the artist, was arrested in January 2026 for failing to appear as a witness and was subsequently transferred to Los Angeles.

What we know - and what we don't

While the arrest marks a key breakthrough in the case, there are still more questions than answers:

• The cause of Celeste's death has not been confirmed
• A possible motive has not been made public
• It is not known if there will be more arrests

The process will depend on the evaluation of the District Attorney's Office, which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution.

The case has generated strong media attention due to D4vd's popularity on platforms such as TikTok, where he became known for songs such as Romantic Homicide and Here With Me.

After the discovery of the remains in 2025, the artist cancelled a tour, while speculation grew around the investigation. However, until his recent arrest, he had not been formally charged.